More Storms

Crazy Indiana Weather!

This year has been pretty scary with the storms we've had here in Indiana. Its not like we are just getting a little rain here and there. Each time anything happens it's a warning across our t.v. It's pretty scary especially when I'm home alone with all 3 kiddos.

First set of storms this summer had tornado warnings/watches. There was a lot of damage. I do not believe anyone got hurt though.

This was a picture a friend sent me not that far from our home:

Last week we had a fast storm blow through. It only lasted for maybe 25 minutes. We got hail.

It was actually really pretty except when we realized all these pretty white balls of ice were hitting our vehicles!

Last night was a severe Thunderstorm. I was out shopping with the kids. We were about to head over to Cold Stone and grab ice cream when we saw all the lightning. 

I was alone with my 3 loves and remembering all that has happened so far - I over-reacted and headed straight home. About the time we pulled up in the driveway it started to rain. So of course as usual we turned on the t.v. Kept a watch for anything. 

The kids ended up getting a small bit of Kale's ice cream. I promised them ice cream and so I had to deliver. Working so much Kale hasn't even been able to get a taste of his own ice cream. We probably won't say a word until he notices either :)

The storm ( it wasn't really that bad ) started to die down and we didn't really have anything to do. So we took some pictures. 

 I also let Colten handle the camera. He did pretty good.

Not sure what the purple area on her leg is about. While uploading this picture I noticed it. I ran to Morgan checking her legs thinking something was terribly wrong. Well her legs were just fine. Don't really know how to explain this one!

Hopefully we never have to face the day our house is taken by a storm/tornado. We continue to pray for protection. We especially pray for Kale when he is out in this weather. We really do miss him so much when he is not here!

Shut Down Week

Remember this lady? Well She's back!

This week has been a mess. I have been a mess. Kale started shutdown out at the plant around the middle of last week. He's gone from around 5:30am until around 9pm. Usually he's home to help around 5pm. Not this week :(

On top of Kale being gone all day and most of the evening the boys are on spring break from school. Luckily I signed them up for Church Camp through church.

With Kale being gone I have been a wreck-less schedule breaking crazy lady! 

 I know this is a terrible thing to say but I never knew until this week how much he does help. 

We didn't hit up grocery store on our usual Sunday out as a family this last weekend. So I did the mid-week shopping alone with the 3 kids. WOW. Hitting up Walmart, Sams, and grocery store alone is definitely a challenge without Kale. But we got it done and the kids were actually pretty good.

I also got LOTS of smiles from other customers as I strolled by with one in a car seat, one walking, and where is Tyler? He is under the cart - laying down - riding along - singing a song I don't know. Ha. Love!

Daddy Kale is in charge of sports. Mom just goes to watch, take photos, and scream like a crazy lady. That's usually my end of the bargain.

Colten missed practice on Tuesday. I had a mom pick-up her kiddo late. Then after that I had to go and meet our new babysitter. She's also a care.com member like me. That went very well. Then it was onto the rush home, cook, bathe, clean kitchen, do a load of laundry, baby duties and hit the sack.

On Wednesday Kale ended up going to Urgent Care. He's been sick all week. I missed my bible study group and the night just sort of went haywire. Taking care of kids and Kale. 

Yesterday I got a call from baseball. It was Tyler's coach saying he had practice at 5. It was around 4 that he called. I thought AHHHHHH! You have got to be kidding me! So I rushed and picked up boys from Church Camp. Took Tyler home. Got him dressed. Rushed to baseball field only to find out that none of the coaches out there was the one who called me. So we had a mysterious coach on our hands! 

After about 15 minutes of searching the 7 year old team coach took Tyler in. Tyler was playing with the "big dogs" And he did well. He was running around like the crazy Tyler we all know. Keeping up with the big kids. Playing just as well as the big kids. We stayed at practice for about an hour. After practice was over I heard Tyler's new coach yelling at someone. I look over and it's another coach  I didn't see when looking earlier. It was Tyler's coach. The one who called me. Phew! We found him! So that little stressful bit has been taken care of. I really felt out of the loop when asked the questions only Kale knows. I really felt stupid! But it all got taken care of.

Before the start of practice Tyler told me he didn't want to play. He doesn't like baseball. When we pulled up he grabbed his bag and literally started marching towards the baseball field. I was like wait a minute. 5 minutes ago he didn't want to play? So hopefully forcing him to go to practice did some good for him. I don't want him to play if he doesn't want to but sometimes it's better to make them try and find out they don't like it instead of letting them quit before they start.

Now for some pictures:

Tyler did excellent. He really enjoyed being in the field. I'm glad.

Colten also enjoyed being there. He was usually right by the fence talking to Tyler. I think Colten is starting to realize he is the older brother. He is the influence. He has responsibility. This is good.

Tonight is the end of Church Camp week for the boys. They are going to have a play for the parents followed by a spaghetti dinner. I really wish Kale could be there but I know he cannot. So I guess I will be taking a lot of pictures and when Kale gets home he will probably get an ear-full by the boys.

Interesting week and this reminds me of something I learned a while back from recovery group:

If God will bring you to it

He will get you through it

Believe me when I say I've been praying for PATIENCE!

Our Other Kids

Marley and Jackson are our over-grown, slobbery, dirty, smelly, hyper, and not all that attractive other kids.

We love them to death!

We took them this last Saturday to the vet to get their shots and check-up. Dreading the bill - we know it's worth doing to keep them healthy.

Here are our crazy DOGS fearing those pointy shiny things us humans call shots.

They got their exam and shots. They also got blood drawn to see if they had heart worms. Both of our dogs have never been on a preventative for this. So we awaited the results.

We got a call yesterday and they are both negative. They will be starting a preventative here shortly.

We were told our pups have allergies. I totally call {the dirty word I shouldn't say} on this one. We LOVE our dogs and yes we will do what the vet says but this kind of goes along with giving dogs prozac for depression. I just don't believe in all this when it comes to animals. I think it's a fancy way of making money. We did decide to follow our vets direction and are giving them eye drops twice a day followed by doggie Benadryl.

Also, during Jackson's exam the vet noticed a small growth on his leg. She said it was a small tumor. She wants to get a biopsy after removing it. I love Jackson and Kale and I both agree that we want him to stick around for as long as possible. The vet informed us that Boxers are known for getting tumorous growths.

If in fact this does occur and these 'tumors' end up being malignant we will probably make an ultimate decision to put him down. We both don't want our dog to be in pain/medication daily/ for this. Granted it would be years before this would ever happen...it's just something that we discussed.

We love our Marley and Jackson :)

M's First Pair

Morgan has BLING!!

Last Saturday I decided to take Morgan shopping with me as I joined a girlfriend at the mall. We went to hit up some of these { in store } spring sales for our boys.

I had been talking to Kale for a while as far as his thoughts { along with mine } on getting our daughters ears pierced. The first time we talked it was a no go. I decided that I just couldn't bare to watch someone shoot an earring through my little loves ear.

Then a few weeks later I wanted to. My thoughts this time were :

 She will only cry for a minute.

If I wait to get this done by the time she's older it will only be worse. She could get scared and jerk causing harm to herself. There were many reasons to consider with waiting.

While in the mall we passed Claire's. I told my girlfriend that I should go ahead and get it done. I called Kale to tell him how much { ridiculous if you ask me } and to get his joint permission.

So here we are picking out earrings and placing little blue dots on her ears { where they would insert earring } and I couldn't handle it. I felt like a sissy! A really big sissy.

When the lady at Claire's pulled out the guns I freaked! I handed my daughter to Beth and went outside. I know! I wanted to cry! I heard Morgan cry. It was awful. I immediately felt like a terrible mom! Through the glass of the store I could barely see Morgans little legs dangling from my girlfriends lap. When I heard Morgan cry for the second time I saw her legs straighten out in front of her. I was so ashamed! { how could I! }

Then I went back into store and held Morgan. I hugged her so tight knowing I couldn't take it back.

Within minutes she was just fine and smiling away at me as usual.

The ' I'm a bad mom ' went away immediately and I was actually very excited to see these cute little earrings in my daughters ears. She looked like a cutie!

Not sure who was more traumatized Me or Morgan.

Well she's officially got bling. And more bling waiting for her. Her first pair of diamond earrings she received as a gift for Christmas. We have to wait 6 weeks before she can wear them.

Here's the happy mommy before the traumatic event pic

My Little Cuties { daycare }

I figured it was about time to share my little joys with everyone else.

I do daycare in my home during the week. It's fabulous. 

I only take a few kiddos and lucky me they are full-time. I never wanted to watch several different children that would come in and out of my home constantly. My goal was to get a few cuties that were regularly attending. These kiddos would become just as a part of my life as family would be. 

Goal Reached:)

I'm pretty sure these little babes will be around for a while. Hopefully. I would love them to be.

Morgan loves it. I love it.

I get the joy of spending my entire morning and evenings with my boys. My days with Morgan and these little cutie pies.

 I did get written permission to share photographs on my personal family blog.

{ Please do not copy, download, share or post these photos on the internet or anywhere else. I have NOT been granted permission to share anywhere else etc. and it could cost me my job/reputation}
Thanks 

This is my baby bunch 

I've got Mrs. Morgan 

 Mrs. Kendall

Mrs. Kandice

And Mr. Christian

I don't think I have changed a diaper, made a bottle, used the restroom, or eaten a poorly thrown together sandwich this quickly in my entire life!

Running this small daycare surely keeps me on my toes!! It's very enjoyable. I love being able to take care of one baby while glancing over at my daughter to see her smiling at me. It's great.

I invite you to share with me this growing experience! While Morgan grows so will all these cute babies all around her.

This daycare is also really a blessing for more than being able to stay at home with Morgan.

It's extra income
and
It allows me the time to explore my options for returning to college. I'm still not quite sure what I want to do with myself. Right now I'm living it up being a stay at home mom. But I do want a career of some type. In due time this will come. I've been praying about this a lot. What is it that I can do that will Glorify my God { career/work wise} ? What will be revealed? Not sure. But it will come.

We are blessed.

Mini Me {1}

{photo has been corrected}

I've been thinking about all the comments I've heard lately that Morgan looks just like ME.

I love to hear that. My boys don't. At least I don't think so. Finally I get a little Mini Me.

This is a picture of me when I was a baby.

Come on now...It looks like my precious daughter Morgan!

O.K. at least to me it does. But she might favor her daddy.

I am definitely turning this post into another post. I am determined to do a comparison post soon!!!

I need to get ahold of a few people and definitely make this happen.

We Are a Dot Com

We have registered our blog as a .com today. I figured I would let everyone know our new blog address:

Our Shank Family . com

{ click link  to view }

We love you all!

Thanks for following up on our family blog and being a blessing to our lives

Love always,

Kale

Sharin

Colten

Tyler

Morgan 

& of course

Jackson and Marley

Our Parents Have Chores?

I am controlling. I will be the first to admit this! I don't like anyone cleaning my house but me. I don't like anyone doing laundry but me (haha someone close to me knows this well). I like to do things myself - my way. That's just how I am. I feel if I do it - that it's done my way - then I'm happy.

Well, I can't do it anymore. I have come to the end of my rope trying to keep this home clean alone. We've got the boys bedroom, the office, the downstairs bathroom, the hallway, foyer, family room, dining room, kitchen, stairs going up and stairs going down to basement, our bedroom, Morgan's bedroom, our bathroom and the hallway upstairs! I have been seriously trying to keep this whole house clean alone? Plus motherhood, daycare, cooking, laundry, groceries, boys homework, Morgan, and all the rest of the stuff that I do. I feel insane!

I finally broke down and realized that I have 3 kids and 2 dogs. Nothing is going to be perfect for more than about 2 seconds.

My solution: I sat down last night and made a chore chart for Kale and I both. We started this Monday and it was MARVELOUS!!!! He is such a good husband! And I love that he does so much. He has always asked if he could help me with anything and of course my stubborn attitude always said no. Then I would be mad that I am cleaning and he's watching sports. Well, I'm over it. The only thing he can't do is laundry. HAHA. I do laundry. That's it. So tonight was a blessing all the way. So glad I decided to consult a friend and let this go. It's a good feeling to see my house clean by 7 pm. I now get to bed on time instead of staying up till midnight being an obsessive housekeeper.  LOVE IT!!!

OUR STARTER CHORE CHART

I think this was a splendid idea. So far this is working out very well!

The boys think we are crazy. They asked us, "Do you really have chores?" I said yes...they are right here :)

This makes the boys a little more aware of the fact that we have responsibilities too. It helps when they See us doing "chores" that are LISTED on a chart just like theirs.

Our boys have the same exact chore chart with of course less responsibility.

For some reason they watch us work and clean all the time but it just didn't click. It does now. Very happy mommy this week.

Random Updates

This month has been full of so many special little moments. We thought it would be nice to share.

So here are some random updates from Our Shank Family.

Random #1:

Little Miss Morgan is eating baby food already! We didn't know what to expect the first time we gave her food. We didn't know if she would even be able to physically eat it yet either. So we gave it a try and this is what we got:

  

Of course Kale and I laughed our butts off at her face. Each time we would go to the bowl with the spoon she would start to kick her legs and coo at us ( give me more please)!

Morgan is currently eating rice cereal, applesauce followed by some infant juice once a day. 

Random # 2:

We have a roly-poly already. Yes. Morgan is rolling. It's adorable. I can't believe she's rolling. The first time she rolled was last month. But we knew it was a fluke. She rolled over in her co-sleeper which is slightly tilted. She was actually chasing her binky and rolled on accident. One reason we put her back in our bedroom.

This time was no accident. I had her on her blanket while I went to make her a bottle.

When I went back into the daycare room she was on her tummy! I couldn't believe it! I was stoked. I screamed out of joy scaring Kale into running into the room thinking that something was wrong. We both chuckled out of joy. We call her roly-poly Morgan when she does this.

After we caught her roll for the first time I decided to set up the camera on my cell to try to catch her. Well I got lucky and caught her rolling a few days ago. I was excited and nervous at the same time. I can't leave her unattended on the floor anymore. Each cry that comes out of her mouth I freak and think that she has rolled into something. So she now comes along with me wherever I go.

Here's the video of me catching Morgan roll over for the first time!

Random #3:

Colten has decided he wants to join the 5k run for Delaware School ( his school ). He has asked me to join him. Yes I run and work out but by no means do I run 3 miles. Ha. I haven't run like that since before I was pregnant with Morgan.  

So Colten and I are conditioning ourselves. This is rough. Especially for our Colten. He hasn't ever run this kind of distance before. He also believes it's a race. It is but he doesn't understand pace. So with patience ( LOTS OF PATIENCE ) I am trying to teach our 9 year old how to run this type of race. 

He got about 1/4 of a mile in tonight and got a cramp. We are taking this very slow, however, the race is on April 28. We don't have much time at all. We will be running at least 4 times a week around Garvin Park. I am really happy that he asked me to run with him. This gives me much needed exercise and a little alone time with him. This is good:)



Random #4:

Morgan is teething! Yes. It's been a very full month in this Shank house. She started this about a week ago. At first I was surprised that she was fussy. Morgan is NEVER fussy. She's the most smiling, silliest, cutest little thing ever. So content no matter where we are. So when she got this fussy I knew something was wrong. I started piecing together little clues. The drooling. Her chewing on everything. She chews on her hands, binky, blanket, and sometimes my fingers. I can't believe she is cutting teeth at 3 1/2 months old! I can't see the teeth coming through but the lines in her gums are there. This is going to be a really interesting month!

Random #5:

Miss Morgan smarty pants has decided to take charge of her bottle. She doesn't want us to hold it. She wants to hold it! She doesn't really hold it all the time but every once in a while she will. It's cute to see.

Well I think that is all I can think of so far. What a MONTH!!!


Love,

The Shank Family

Eye Color Wager

Remember this post? It's our wager post. Yes these wagers still go on.

This wager winner was mommy all the way:)


What is Morgan's eye color?   BLUE!!!


For the longest time we couldn't tell. We almost still can't tell but they appear to be blue.

When Morgan was born her eyes were navy blue almost black. They stayed this way for a while. Then slowly they started to fade. Until about 4 weeks ago they appeared to be slightly brown. Kale of course laughed his rear end off at me telling me she has brown eyes.

Then out of nowhere every picture I would take of Morgan slowly revealed blue eyes. When I look at Morgan off camera they are more grayish in color. But on camera they are blue all the way.


 Both my boys had their eye color within the first month of life.

Morgan is just showing them who's boss :)

Baby takes after her mommy in this round 3 battle!

And our Beautiful Morgan with her BLUE eyes  :

Praising :)

O.K. So I know you guys LOVE pictures of the kiddos. Well I took a few this last Friday. 

Caught the boys getting off the bus with my camera. They looked at me all funny... like... mom...what are you doing? I basically told them how much I love them. Would they let me take a few pics? 

They totally agreed and even posed for me all silly like. They made funny faces, stuck their tongues out at me, and got all close and personal sticking their faces right up to my camera. I was stoked! But I chose my favorites being their gorgeous eyes and big smiles.

And little miss Morgan helped me upload these onto the computer. She didn't really smile. I think she was just being inquisitive. Always wondering what this is and that is. Deciphering sounds. Making funny faces. She's so cute I love it!

Does everyone see Morgan's eyes? Pretty right? This picture takes me to our next post...

Baseball 2012

Both of our boys have decided to play baseball again this year.

For Tyler we just had to sign him up.

It was a different story for Colten. Ever since he started baseball last year he has been watching the older kids play on the big field. At least that's what he calls it. He told us during last season that he can't wait to play with them. Well, this year is his year. He is old enough to play with the big boys. Garvin Baseball held try-outs last Saturday. Colten got out there and did his best. We didn't know anything about the process or that there would be different teams within Garvin Baseball ( for his age group). There were a total of 4 coaches watching while each player went through a skills test. Batting, catching fly balls and ground balls. Just an overall basic skills exam. After going through the motions Colten had to wait a day and a half to get the call on which coach would choose him.

We were out and about in town doing grocery shopping when we got the call. Kale and I both weren't sure what this verdict would be. Colten did pretty well towards the end of the season last year.

Low and Behold our Colten was chosen by the Championship winning coach from last year! We were all thrilled when we discovered this. Colten has the chance to excel in his skills this year. We can't wait for his first game. Colten can't either. He is definitely motivated and ready to go for it!

A lot is expected from Colten this year. I hope he does well.

Colten giving it his all during try-outs

How Blessed

 Every time I open our pictures folder I wanna hit my knees and cry. Scrolling through all the memories that Kale and I have made with our kiddos. Those still moments in the day when I want to cry as I begin to thank the Lord above for all he has given to us.  What a miracle this last 3 years has been for me. Getting sober, getting married, raising a beautiful family with the man of my dreams. { maybe not the man of my dreams but I definitely don't deserve him }. I am in love with my family :)

I am so thankful. 

M's First Dress

Yesterday was beautiful. The weather was beauftul. We decided it was time to get some pics of the kiddos again. This was a total setup by the way.

Morgan was finally able to wear her FIRST dress! She looked so adorable too. Her little bare feet and diaper hanging out. LOVED IT!

Our little princess LOVES her big brothers!

Cold - Warm - Cold

We have been experiencing some unusual weather patterns here in Indiana lately. Last year around this time we were freezing our boots off. This year we will get a really cold day then a warm one. The fun part about this weather is we never know when that next warm day will be. 

We have learned real fast to take advantage when it does come.

The other day was a great day to get out of the house. But not too far. Just to the driveway. I needed to clean out my car and detail the truck. Usually in the winter months I have to take our vehicles to the Auto Haas to get detailed. With the nice weather we had I decided to do this myself.  The boys came home from school in the nick of time to help. I had just vacuumed out the truck and it was ready for a wash. The minute the boys got off the bus I told them to get on their bathing suits. They looked at me, cocked their heads to the side and said, "bathing suits?" I said, "yes bathing suits!"!!!!

They helped me wash my truck. I was very grateful for their help. Knowing that I might not get pictures like this again until summer I hurried in the house and grabbed my camera.

I can't believe they were wearing bathing suits in March!

And our little Morgan enjoyed this beautiful day from our front porch. 

Morgan Update { 3 }

Took Morgan in for a weight check at her pediatricians office yesterday evening. 

Quick Recap:

Week one: Morgan weighed in at 8 lbs 7 oz 

Her pediatrician switched her formula to Nutramigen hoping this would help her gain some weight.

Week two: She gained 14 oz weighing in at 9 lbs 5 oz

Her pediatrician switched her back to the lesser expensive formula to see if this weight issue would fix itself.

She weighed in yesterday evening at 9 lbs. 8 oz which means in a weeks time she has only gained 3 oz.

Her pediatrician put her back on the Nutramigen for good now.

So our little Miss Morgan is still a tiny little thing. 

We will keep her on the Nutramigen and she should quickly gain enough weight to be in the normal range for her age.

Love,

The Shank Family

House Hunting {1}

What have we been up to?

We have been house hunting!

We are paying almost another house payment in utilities right now. There are other small reasons such as our leaking basement, home layout, not enough yard, too close to other homes, our nasty neighbor and I could go on. So of course being young and eager Kale and I decided to start looking for a new house.

For weeks we have gone round and round about what we plan on doing.

option 1: Buying a new house ( no remodeling etc required) 

option 2: Buying an older house that we could remodel and make our own but still have that solid structure with full basement (a lot of new homes around here are not built very well! Mostly Jago manufactured homes that fall apart within 10 years usually in neighborhoods where all the houses look the same).

option 3: purchasing land and building 

We have spent most nights this last few weeks just discussing all the financial aspects, time, money, and all the different scenarios of selling our current home and purchasing a new one.

We have a great realtor that we have been working with. We have so far viewed 6 homes.

BUT

After a LONG debate on every little aspect of this house hunting escapade we have started...We have decided to HIT THE BRAKES!

Why?

1.} Phone calls to family members who are older and wiser. 

2.} We LOVE the home we are currently in except for a few things that we can live with for now. Don't want to sell just yet.

3.} What effect will remodeling a home right now have on our kids? They really need us and we have made a few commitments to them. Colten and Tyler are about to start their baseball season this year (ends in June). If we are ripping out kitchens and bathrooms we aren't going to be able to give them this time.

4.} Kale found a link from our Electric company just the other day. They will come in and do this complete inspection with door blowers and crazy stuff I've personally never seen before. They tell you what you can do to get your home to be more energy efficient. This might be what we've needed all along. This could get pricey but it will keep us at bay for jumping into a new home right now.

5.} I just don't think we are ready to sell and purchase a new home just yet. We promised each other that we would take our time the next home we buy. I intend on keeping that in Kale's mind and vice versa. It takes two to make this decision so we are working on keeping each other in line as far as this whole process is concerned.

RIGHT NOW:

Right now we have decided to stay in our current home.

Get Vectren in to do the home efficiency testing. 

See about fixing the problems outlined by Vectren (if the cost is worth it)

Enjoy being in our home :)

This brings back the memories of when we purchased our first home :)

Our boys were so little :)

 We aren't sure yet what the plan will be but we have all the time in the world to enjoy our current home and kiddos. We also have plenty of time to think and plan.

Love,

The Shank Family

THREE MONTHS

Morgan Elaine

* Three Months *

*****{ STATS }*****

9 pounds 7 oz

22 inches long

size : newborn 

Still wearing newborn clothes and diapers. It won't be too much longer until you are finally wearing your 0-3 months. I would say in about a week. I can't wait to put you into new clothes!

*****{ HEALTH & DIET }*****

Your over-all health is great little one.

You are eating more than ever! You take 6-8 oz bottles at least 5 times a day. Your cheeks are finally getting chubby! I love it!

You got your 2 month shots. You didn't like it but I don't blame you!

You are having problems gaining weight. You weighed 7lbs 2oz at birth. Dropped to 6 lbs 12oz when we left hospital. At nearly 3 months old you only weighed in at 8lbs 7oz. So your pediatrician put you on Nutramigen. A formula that has small enough proteins (hopefully) for your body to absorb. Hopefully you start gaining weight.

*****{ SCHEDULE }*****

Your schedule is awesome. You sleep through the night. It doesn't matter if we go to bed at 8pm or 11pm. When WE go to bed YOU go to bed and you know when it's bedtime. Every once in a while you will fuss but not too often. I usually pick you up and snuggle for a bit then you are too quick to doze off to sleep.

We did put you in your own room ( co-sleeper of course ) at 6 weeks. But after careful consideration {meaning I was getting up every 5 minutes to check on you and not sleeping myself} we decided to put you back in our room. I feel much better when I can roll over and see you sleeping peacefully.

During the day you are great. You rarely fuss. You're usually happy wherever I put you. You like the floor, your boppy pillow, and your swing. Most of all you love when I am holding you. You sleep about half the day and all night.

*****{ FIRSTS }*****

February 4 - You went to your first hockey game. It was an Evansville Icemen home game. You were so good. 

February 10 - You rolled over from your back to your stomach. It's usually the other way around but your are MY daughter :) You were sleeping in your own room still and around 5am you decided to start screaming. When daddy went into your room you were on your tummy. It looked as if you lost your binky and decided to roll so far left to get it you accidentally rolled over. We have seen you 'chase' your binky before but you never rolled over until this night. You haven't done this since.

February 26 - You laughed out loud. Mommy and daddy were watching t.v. I was mostly talking to you. All of a sudden in between all your silent smiles you chuckled. It was adorable. 

February 26 - You saw your first movie in theaters. We went as a family to see Journey 2 in 3D. You had a bottle, some twizzlers and went to sleep. ( just kidding on the twizzlers)

*****{ MOMMY'S FAVORITE THINGS THIS MONTH }*****

Daddy told me not to steal all the good ones so I have ONE favorite thing this month that I absolutely can't get over. It's adorable. I even find myself putting my hand over my face speaking on your behalf! I absolutely love it when you sleep with your hand(s) on your face. You gently, as if you have figured out that you have sharp nails, put your hand on your face I guess to let us know how hard it is to be a baby! It's cute and it tickles me to death every time I see it.

{ Feb 23 }

*****{ DADDY'S FAVORITE THINGS THIS MONTH }*****

Well mommy still stole the best one because your exhausted look is adorable.  You look just like mommy after a hard day's work.  I have also been noticing more activity and awareness.  You are either sleeping, eating, or checking out everything around you.  That includes a lot more smiles and even a little giggle every now and then.  I was also excited to see that you finally fit into your custom plaid POLO shoes Daddy bought for you.  Ok there not custom but they are the coolest thing ever.  Even though you don't like wearing them and kick them off at a moments notice.

{ Feb 25 }

By the way Morgan...mommy did not dress you! I would never put you in plaid and print!! :) At least I hope I never do. ~ love mommy

*****{ WHAT WE MISS }*****

I miss my pregnancy with you( in a way). I finally got rid of all my maternity clothes this week. While folding them- they brought back a lot of good memories. My cute clothes, my preggo waddle, and daddy's smile each time we saw you on ultrasound. I just really wanted to cry! But at the same time was happy to get them all out of my closet!
~ mommy

I miss you only drinking 2 oz bottles 

( its cheaper, less poopies, less burpies, less fussies, less laundry)
~daddy

*****{ A LITTLE ABOUT YOU }*****

Your stubborn! You are just stubborn! It's cute.

You know what your bottle is. You cry when you are hungry of course. When I approach you with your bottle, you make this sound I just can't describe. You are fake crying when you do this! If I tease you for too long (which I often do. I know it's sick!) you start screaming your head off. I'm usually buckled over laughing but I DO always get myself together as a mature adult should and give you your bottle :)

You attempt to hold your bottle during every feeding already. I am not quiet sure I am ready for this yet but it's cute!

{ Feb 27 }

When we take your bottle you scream loudly. I usually laugh, burp you, and give you your binky. I just can't believe how loud you scream!

You smile A LOT! You are always my smiling little girl. And I absolutely love it. Mommy makes you smile more than daddy BUT your brothers have me beat all the way. If one of your brothers starts talking to you...you are smiling more than I ever see!

You started using your boppy towards the end of this month. It's cute to see you in it. You usually squirm you way through the middle and get your head stuck in the opening. I just laugh and sit you back upright.

{ Feb 27 }

*****{ A LITTLE ABOUT MOMMY }*****

Mommy is good. I am just good. Have a great routine down with you, your brothers, and my daycare kiddos. We are all so good right now. Love this stage that you are in.

Still not wearing any of my clothes but hey it's totally time for new clothes anyway. I've lost all my weight from my pregnancy with you including a few extra pounds.  {BUT little miss Morgan, my hips aren't back yet :) 

*****{ A LITTLE ABOUT DADDY }*****

Daddy is better than ever.  Work has been a little slower this month and while that hurts the pocket book it means more time with you, your brothers and your beautiful mother.  Your mother and I are both getting used to having you around now and we are trying to pick up each others slack, (mommy picking up daddy's more than vise versa) knowing we are both exhausted at the end of every day.  But all in all I am doing well and I can't wait to see what is around the next corner.

*****{ YOUR BIG BROTHERS }*****

They adore you more than anyone. They are protective! We took you to the Dr's this month for your well baby check. I knew you would get shots but they didn't. The minute the nurse came in with those needles - your brothers went into protective mode! They asked the nurse a million and one times if this was going to hurt you. Was this going to make you cry. Will this hurt you. Will this make you cry. If they were big enough to keep the nurse from giving you those shots they would have. Then the tears came. They cried like crazy over you! They were so heart-broken. It made me teary-eyed! I was a proud momma of two beautiful protective big brothers that day!

Before the nurse walked out the door - she said, "I would hate to see the day anyone tries to take their little sister on a date!" 

Your a lucky little girl!

If I am taking photos of you...they move right in. No questions asked. They want to be front and center. They want all your attention. They also want all my attention. Your big brothers will purposely take hours to get their two chores complete because EVERY time they walk by you they stop, talk, hug, kiss and chit-chat with you. I will definitely let stuff like this slide. 

Your brothers decided to get into an argument around 6am on who got to hold you first that morning. Yes, annoying to my ears but so darn cute at the same time! I got a picture of both of them kissing you at the same time. That was their only option.

Also this month Tyler was patting your tummy. You decided that you were going to pat your own head while he was patting your tummy. You are just so smart Morgan.

*****{ PHOTOS FROM MONTH TWO }*****

{ Feb 4 }

{ Feb 7 }

{ Feb 9 }

{ Feb 11 }

{ Feb 17 }

{ Feb 18 }

{ Feb 21 }

{ Feb 25 }

{ Feb 26}

{ Feb 27 }

This month has been by far the easiest. I'm fully recovered and back to work. Well, working with you! And making you little baby friends. I thought having 3 kiddos would be really hard but it's not. It's actually very nice. I get snuggled with a LOT more now than I ever have before. (They boys are really snuggling with you :) 

I love you Morgan